Pipe-lifting clutch.



R. SGHOPF.

PIPE LIF'I'ING CLUTCH.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 15, 1000.

992,070. I Patented May 9,1911.

UITE STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ROCHUS SCHOPF, OF ELIZABETH, COLORADO.

PIPE-LIFTING CLUTCH.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, RooHUs Sonorr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elizabeth, county of Elbert, and State of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe- Lifting Clutches;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the ac companying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for lifting pipes ortubes, being more especially adapted for use where pipes of considerablelength are to be handled, either raised or lowered, as in wells, miningshafts, and wherever it 'is necessary to perform this work.

My improved device is so constructed that when a pipe or tube is passedthcrethrough, the device will grip the same and maintain its holdthereon during the raising or lowering of the pipe, through the mediumof a rope or cable connected with one extremity of the clutch.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved deviceillustrating the same in use. Fig. 2 is a side view with the pipe clutchshown partly in section. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33, Fig.1, looking downwardly. Fig. 1 is a detail view of the bolt or pinforming a part of my improved device.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the clutch considered in its entirety, thesame being composed of a body part 6 whose forward extremity is widest,as shown at 7 and provided with a V-shaped notch or recess 8, the part 7being cut away or beveled underneath, as shown at 9, whereby arelatively sharp edge 10 is formed around the notch, which conditionincreases the gripping capacity when the device is used in connectionwith a pipe 12. The body of the device is provided with two dependinglugs or ears 13 which are separated, as best illus Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed January 15, 1909.

Patented May 9, 1911.

Serial No. 472,453.

trated in Fig. 3, leaving a space between them for the pipe when thelatter is in place. These lugs 13 are provided with openings adapted toreceive a bolt or pin 14, one extremity of which is provided with a head15, while the opposite extremity is threaded, as shown at 16, to receivea nut 17. The shank of the bolt adjacent to the head is formed square orpolygonal in cross section, as shown at 18, whereby it is adapted to fitthe opening formed in one of the lugs, the said opening being ofcounterpart shape to prevent the pin from turning when the device is inuse. The body of the device tapers, or is reduced in width from the part7 toward its rear extremity 19, which is pro vided with an upwardlyprojecting ear or lug 20 having an opening 21 adapted to be connectedwith one extremity of a rope or cable 22.

When the device is in use it may be assumed that its rear extremity isconnected with a rope or cable, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It may alsobe assumed that the pin 14 is removed from the lugs 13. The pipe 12 tobe handled is then passed between the lugs 13 and caused to enter theV-shaped notch or recess 8. The pin is then inserted in the openings ofthe lugs 13 in front of the pipe. Then, as power is applied to the cablesufficient for lifting or lowering the pipe, the clutch will grip thelatter, since its V shaped portion will engage it on one side while thepin grips the pipe on the opposite side, the holding power of the clutchbeing suflicient to prevent slipping.

It is evident that my improved device may be formed of various sizes,depending upon the diameter of the pipe to be handled.

, It will, of course, be understood that it is not necessary, in orderto connect the clutch with a pipe, to remove the pin, since the pipemay, if desired, be inserted endwise between the pin and the notchedmember of the clutch. If, however, it is desired to connect the clutchwith the pipe intermediate the extremities of the latter, it will, ofcourse, be necessary to remove the pin, as heretofore explained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a body member, consistingof a plate having a forwardly located V-shaped pipereceiving recess ornotch, the plate being tapered on the under side toward the notchforwardly located V-shaped pipe-receiving recess 0r notch, the bodymember being tapered on the under side toward the notch,

and provided With depending separated 15 members protruding beyond thebody part at an angle thereto, and a removable pin or bolt passedthrough the said depending members at their lower extremities andcooperating With the recess above the same for 2 clutching purposes,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ROCHUS SCHOPF. Witnesses:

ALIcE I. LAKIN, A. EBERT OBRIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

